Comcast, RCN expand HDTV footprints

Comcast Corp. and RCN Corp. have both added high-definition television services in new markets.

Comcast launched the service this week in the San Francisco Bay Area this week, offering access to programming from Showtime, HBO, KNTV (NBC), KGO (ABC) and KQED (PBS). Comcast said the service is available in the area to about 800,000 cable homes, including the cities of San Jose, San Francisco and Oakland.

RCN, meanwhile, extended HD service to customers in Washington, D.C. and Lehigh Valley, Pa. At launch, the overbuilder is offering programming from ABC, NBC, Fox and PBS affiliates, as well as ESPN, HDNet, Discovery Networks, Showtime and HBO.